Jonathan Fairbanks and Clyde Edwin Tuck

Past and Present of Greene County, Missouri

Early and Recent History and Genealogical Records
of Many of the Representative Citizens

LORENZO PHILLIPS. Among the high-grade and straightforward business men of a past generation who helped to make Springfield the substantial commercial city which we of the present generation take such delight in, was the late Lorenzo Phillips, who for many years was one of the city's best known grocerymen. He was a man who bore a reputation for wholesome living in all walks of life and was therefore deserving of the material success he achieved and also the social prestige which was unquestionably his.

Mr. Phillips was born in Greene county, Missouri, September 23, 1866. He is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth Phillips, who were natives of the state of Tennessee where they grew up, were educated and married. Thomas Phillips became a prosperous farmer and extensive mule dealer in his native state, from which, however, he finally removed to Greene county, Missouri, where his death occurred a number of years ago. His family consisted of eleven children, seven of whom are still living, namely: Marion, Monroe, Jesse, Thomas, Warrie, Vida and Lorenzo.

Lorenzo Phillips grew to manhood in Greene county and received his education in the common schools and here he engaged in farming until his marriage, after which he went into the grocery business in which he continued with ever increasing success up to within two years of his death. The L. Phillips Grocery, located on South street, Springfield, of which he was proprietor, was well patronized by the best people of the city, for there they always found a large and well-selected stock of staple and fancy groceries and were dealt with in a courteous and honest manner. The last two years, of our subject's life were devoted to the bakery business with equal success.

Mr. Phillips was married on November 21, 1886, to Laura Hardesty, who was born in Audrain county, Missouri, December 18, 1860. She is a daughter of Felix and Catherine (Gurton) Hardesty, the former a native of Missouri and the latter of Kentucky. They have both been deceased for some time. Mrs. Phillips received good educational advantages and she taught school several terms. Her father devoted his active life to mercantile pursuits. He located in Springfield when Mrs. Phillips was sixteen years of age and her education was obtained here.

Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Phillips, namely: Curt, born on August 14, 1887, married Bessie Codel and they live in Springfield; Albert, born on July. 19, 1889; Marie, born on August 28, 1891,died September 23, 1895; Pearl, born on September 25, 1893, is at home; Georgia, born on December 4, 1895, is at home. These children received good educations in the Springfield schools.

Politically, Mr. Phillips was a Republican. He remained active in business affairs up to his death which occurred on December 24, 1898.He left his family well provided for including a pleasant home on South Main street.